Fee transaction system and method for intellectual property acquistion and/or maintenance

ABSTRACT

A facility has been developed whereby an applicant (or his representative) may initiate performance of an intellectual property service such as the making of a maintenance fee, annuity, renewal, tax or other payments and transact the associated fees coincident therewith. Such a facility has several advantages including the ability to reduce float time. Outside the context of annuity-type payments, similar facilities may be employed in conjunction with preparation, filing and prosecution support tools to similarly transact fees associated with the performance of intellectual property services at or about the time such intellectual property services are performed. An intellectual property portal or hub is employed, which in some realizations is hosted on a public, packet switched data network and communicates with both applicants (or representatives) and associates. In some realizations, the intellectual property portal facilitates selection, by applicants (or representatives) of particular jurisdictions and associates based at least in part on fee quotations made in accordance with particulars of an intellectual property filing and in accordance with fee structures of the particular jurisdictions and foreign associates. In addition, some realizations of the intellectual property filing portal facilitate registration of associate- and jurisdiction-specific services and fee schedules.

This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 11/334,469filed on Jan. 19, 2006, which is a Continuation of application Ser. No.09/460,806 filed on Dec. 14, 1999, which is a Continuation-in-Part ofapplication Ser. No. 09/409,524 Filed on Sep. 30, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to information system transactions overa communication network and, more particularly, to systems and methodsfor transacting fees associated with intellectual property filingsand/or events.

2. Description of the Related Art

In an increasingly interrelated world economy, many intellectualproperty owners seek protection for their intellectual property assets(e.g., as patents, trademarks, copyrights, designs, etc.) in multiplejurisdictions. For example, patent and trademark applications areroutinely filed to secure protection of an invention or mark in multiplenations and/or regions. Often, corresponding applications are filed in,or designate, respective jurisdictions. Each application exhibitscomparatively minor variations tracing to national, regional orconvention requirements and preferences of associated counsel.

Unfortunately, intellectual property filings are prepared and filed inrelatively crude fashion considering the advanced technologies that arethe focus of many intellectual property practices. For, example,preparation of documents for filing is typically a manual process inmost law firms. Even for filings corresponding to a priority filing(e.g., of a PCT international application corresponding to a prioritynational filing), preparation of documents is typically a manualprocess. As with most manual processes, mistakes delays andinefficiencies may be introduced.

A common approach for securing international protection for patent anddesign intellectual property is to prepare and file a priorityapplication to secure a priority date under various internationalconventions or treaties. Usually, such a priority application is filedin a home country although the priority application may, in somecircumstances, be filed elsewhere (typically, in the United States orunder an convention in a competent receiving office such as theInternational Bureau (IB) of the World Intellectual PropertyOrganization (WIPO)). Thereafter, and within the appropriate conventionperiod, multiple national filings may be made, claiming priority of thepriority application. International filing conventions such as providedunder the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) or by the European PatentConvention (EPC) help to defer an eventual multiplicity of nationalfilings; however, eventually multiple national filings are typicallyrequired.

Because of legal requirements for obtaining priority, the substance ofnational and international filings are typically identical to, orsubstantially equivalent to the disclosure of the priority applicationsupon which they are based. Filing papers and formal requirements mayvary substantially, however. Accordingly, the act of filing aninternational, regional or national intellectual property application istypically dominated by logistical challenges such as proper formattingof an application, preparation of formal documents and tiling papersrequired by a national or regional intellectual property office,legalization of documents in accordance with national requirements,translation requirements, establishment of authority or agency inaccordance with national requirements, and fee calculation andtransaction issues. These complexities can be exacerbated by thediffering procedures and requirements of various foreign associates(e.g., attorneys or agents authorized to practice in a givenjurisdiction) with whom a managing attorney or intellectual propertyowner corresponds.

In short, foreign filing departments of corporations and law firms aswell as intellectual property owners are faced with a landscape ofnational requirements-based and foreign associate-based variations informal or procedural requirements. In some cases, because of the timingof foreign filing decisions in relation to deadlines, mistakes can beincurable and result in a loss of rights. Also, because of the sheernumber of potential combinations, mistakes are easy to make.Furthermore, the effort necessary to maintain up-to-date forms andprocedures can be substantial, particularly for multiple jurisdictionsand foreign associates.

In part because of these logistical challenges, foreign filing decisionsare not often made with particularity. Instead, standard selections ofjurisdictions and foreign associates are routinized. Typically, suchstandard selections are followed with little, if any, consideration forthe particulars of the intellectual property, the strengths (andweaknesses) of a particular foreign associate, matter specificimplications of fee structures of standard jurisdictions and foreignassociate selections, etc. What is needed are tools that facilitate IPportfolio exploitation by empowering decision makers to make and executeparticularized filing decisions and thereby better optimize filingstrategies.

One major need is for facilities to streamline filing of correspondingapplications in multiple jurisdictions using multiple associates whileautomating the preparation of filings in accordance with jurisdiction-and/or associate-specific requirements and/or procedures. Another needis for facilities that allow fee transactions to be exactly quoted andexecuted in accordance with particulars of an intellectual propertyfiling and in accordance with fee structures of jurisdictions andforeign associates.

Although these goals are yet to be realized, some useful software toolsare beginning to reach the marketplace. For example, EP-EASY (ElectronicApplication SYstem) software available from the European Patent Office(EPO) enables applicants and their representatives to prepare and submitEuropean patent applications in electronic form by creating an EP-EASYsubmission diskette. According to the EPO, future versions of theEP-EASY software will provide for the on-line filing of European patentapplications; however, no on-line filing is currently provided.

A user of the EP-EASY software enters data into the interactivecounterpart of the paper “Request for Grant” form (EPO Form 1001). Theuser may then “attach” technical documents, i.e., the description, theclaims, the abstract and any drawings referred to in the description orclaims, which have been independently prepared using an off-the-shelfword-processor and stored in a electronic format such as PortableDocument Format (PDF), Rich Text Format (RTF) or ASCII text. The EP-EASYsoftware copies these files to the EP-EASY submission diskette togetherwith the files automatically generated by the EP-EASY software andcreates a print-out of the EPO Form 1001E and attached files for filingwith the submission diskette.

PCT-EASY (Electronic Application SYstem) software available from theWorld Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is similar and isdesigned to facilitate the preparation of PCT international applicationsin electronic form and according to WIPO, ultimately, facilitate thetransfer of such applications by electronic means. However, at present,the PCT-EASY software is limited to (1) a Request form module providingfor the input and validation of Request form data and the attachment ofthe abstract in electronic form, (2) printout of a PCT computergenerated Request form, which replaces the existing PCT/RO/101 form forthe purposes of a PCT-EASY filing, and (3) facilities for copying thePCT-EASY Request form data file and attached abstract to diskette forsubmission with the complete paper filing.

In the United States, maintenance fees for every U.S. granted patent aredue 3½, 7½ and 11½ years after grant in order to keep the patent frombeing abandoned. In the majority of the foreign countries, annuities aredue annually even if the patent is still an application that is beingprosecuted. The payment of these fees, in particular the foreignannuities, requires interaction between a docketing application, the lawfirm, the client, the annuity payment service firm, the foreignassociate and the foreign patent office. Due to the inefficiency of thisprocess, clients typically must make their decisions whether to maintainthe applications/patents and pay the annuity fees an average of four tosix months prior to the actual due date of the fee. Docketing andannuity payment service firms are then able to capitalize on the “float”of the money during this extended time period. Therefore, instead ofmaking this process more efficient and thereby reducing the time periodbetween the receipt of the client's instructions/fees and the payment ofthe fees, it is in the best interest of the docketing and annuitypayment service firms to maintain this lengthy delay.

Software tools to facilitate annuity payments are generally premised onoff-line, batch-oriented interactions with a payor. For example, PCMaster software (available from Master Data Center, Southfield, Mich.)is illustrative. PC Master extracts patent information from a client'sdocket database. The client then sends the extracted information to apayor organization (i.e., Master Data Center) via e-mail, diskette orCD. The payor then processes the extracted information and supplies theclient with a printed report. The client sends instructions handwrittenon the printed report and prepares a second extract. The second extractserves to identify any new matters that have been entered in theclient's docket database during the period (typically several months)since the last extract and allows any rules changes made during thatperiod to be reflected in the second extract. The payor then verifiesthe decisions. At some time in the future, but before payments are due,the payor makes annuity payments in accordance with the client'sinstructions and sends printed confirmation to the client. The entireprocess typically requires 6-9 months of back-and-forth correspondence.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Recognizing the limitations of currently available systems, a facilityhas been developed whereby an applicant (or his representative) mayinitiate performance of an intellectual property service such as themaking of a maintenance fee, annuity, renewal, tax or other payments andtransact the associated fees coincident therewith. Such a facility hasseveral advantages including the ability to reduce float time. Outsidethe context of annuity-type payments, similar facilities may be employedin conjunction with preparation, filing and prosecution support tools tosimilarly transact fees associated with the performance of intellectualproperty services at or about the time such intellectual propertyservices are performed. An intellectual property portal or hub isemployed, which in some realizations is hosted on a public, packetswitched data network and communicates with both applicants (orrepresentatives) and associates. In some realizations, the intellectualproperty portal facilitates selection, by applicants (orrepresentatives) of particular jurisdictions and associates based atleast in part on fee quotations made in accordance with particulars ofan intellectual property filing and in accordance with fee structures ofthe particular jurisdictions and foreign associates. In addition, somerealizations of the intellectual property filing portal facilitateregistration of associate- and jurisdiction-specific services and feeschedules.

In one embodiment in accordance with the present invention, a computerimplemented method for transacting an intellectual property serviceincludes presenting a user with one or more intellectual propertyservices and associated fees, initiating performance of the selected oneor more Services in response to selection by the user of one or more ofthe intellectual property services, and coincident therewith,transacting the associated one or more fees. In some variations, theintellectual property services include paying an annuity or maintenancefee, making an intellectual property filing on behalf of the user, orpreparing target jurisdiction- and associate-specific form documents. Insome variations, the fee transacting includes authorizing a debit of adeposit account, supplying an invoice, or processing the fee transactionvia a payment system.

In another embodiment in accordance with the present invention, acomputer implemented method for transacting intellectual propertyannuity, maintenance or renewal fee payments includes presenting, basedon docket data, a user with a set of one or more intellectual propertymatters and associated annuity, maintenance or renewal fee payments; andin response to selection by the user of one or more of the matters andassociated fee payments, initiating performance of the selected feepayments, and coincident therewith, initiating an associated paymenttransaction between the user and an intellectual property annuity,maintenance or renewal fee payment service.

In still another embodiment in accordance with the present invention, amethod of operating an information service to facilitate feetransactions relating to intellectual property services includesregistering for each of plural associates, at least one targetjurisdiction and a computer readable encoding of fees for servicesperformed by the associate therein; and distributing at least a subsetof the registered target jurisdiction- and associate-specific fees to anintellectual property service user for use in transacting associatedintellectual property services using a respective one or ones of theassociates.

In still yet another embodiment in accordance with the presentinvention, an information system for transacting fees associated withintellectual property services includes a network and an intellectualproperty service portal. The network includes an originating node andplural target nodes. The target nodes correspond to associates licensedor otherwise authorized to perform intellectual property services in oneor more target jurisdictions. The intellectual property service portalis coupled by the network to the originating and target nodes and isresponsive to a selection at the originating node of at least oneintellectual property service, supplying the originating node withparticularized fees for the selected at least one intellectual propertyservice. The intellectual property service portal is further responsiveto initiation, from the originating node, of the selected at least oneintellectual property service, transacting the particularized feescoincident therewith.

In still yet another embodiment in accordance with the presentinvention, a computer program product is encoded in a computer readablemedium. The computer program product includes selection code and feetransaction code. The selection code is executable to select fromamongst one or more intellectual property services supported by one ormore information services therefor. The fee transaction code isexecutable to transact one or more fees associated with the selected oneor more intellectual property services coincident with performancethereof by a corresponding one or ones of the information services. Theselection code and fee transaction code may or may not be executable onthe same processor.

In still yet another embodiment in accordance with the presentinvention, an intellectual property filing preparation system includesmeans for selecting from amongst one or more intellectual propertyservices; means for initiating performance of the selected one or moreintellectual property services; and means for transacting feescoincident with the performance of the selected one or more intellectualproperty services.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

The present invention may be better understood, and its numerousobjects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in theart by referencing the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting functional relationships betweenoriginating filers, an intellectual property filing portal, associates(including foreign attorneys and agents) and various patent-orientedintellectual property offices in accordance with an exemplaryforeign-filing embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts information flows between an originating computer systemconfiguration, an intellectual property filing portal, associates(including foreign attorneys and agents) and various patent-orientedintellectual property offices in accordance with an exemplary embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a control and data flows within andbetween an originating information system and an intellectual propertyfiling portal in accordance with an exemplary interaction between theoriginating information system and the intellectual property filingportal.

FIG. 4 depicts information flows between an originating computer systemconfiguration, an intellectual property annuity portal, payment systems,associates (including foreign attorneys and agents) and variouspatent-oriented intellectual property offices in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a control and data flows within andbetween an originating information system and an intellectual propertyannuity portal in accordance with an exemplary interaction between theoriginating information system and the intellectual property annuityportal.

The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicatessimilar or identical items.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS)

The invention is described herein with respect to various illustrativeembodiments and implementation environments. Nonetheless, based on thedescription herein, persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciateimplementations suitable for other environments. The scope of theinvention, as defined by the claims that follow, is not limited to anyspecific implementation environment.

Although one exemplary realization addresses the problem of servicingmaintenance fee, annuity, renewal, tax or other payments (generally,annuity payments) and simultaneously (or near simultaneously)transacting related fees as between a payment service and a user of thepayment service, other realizations apply similar techniques to thetransacting of fees relating to performance of other intellectualproperty services such as the preparation and filing of targetjurisdiction- and associate-specific papers on behalf of an intellectualproperty applicant or his representative. The illustrated set ofintellectual property services is merely exemplary and, based on thedescriptions herein, persons of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate a variety of realizations whereby fees are quoted andtransacted coincident with performance of the particular intellectualproperty service.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary patent-oriented configuration of aninternational filing network in accordance with an exemplary embodimentof the present invention. Intellectual property filing portal 110provides a central hub for facilitating filing transactions byassociates (e.g., foreign associates and agents) in variouspatent-oriented intellectual property offices on behalf of originatingfilers (e.g., law firms, corporate patent departments and, in someconfigurations, applicants themselves). In general, associates (e.g.,foreign associates and agents) register with intellectual propertyfiling portal 110 to offer to originating filers (e.g., law firms andcorporate patent departments) the service of filing counterpart foreignapplications in respective jurisdictions where they are licensed orotherwise authorized to represent applicants. In an exemplaryrealization in accordance with FIG. 1, intellectual property filingportal 110 is hosted as a network accessible information serviceintermediary between computer systems of originating filers (e.g.,originating filer systems 121, 122 and 123) and computer systems ofservice providing associates (e.g., associate systems 131, 132, 133 and134): Alternatively, the intellectual property filing portal serviceprovider may populate the intellectual property filing portal databaseof associates with requisite information about each associate, includingthe associate's name, address, including electronic mail address,telephone and facsimile numbers, as well as home page address, based onthe service provider's own, knowledge or as available from published andother public information sources. As an option, originating filers mayadd specific associates to the intellectual property filing portaldatabase using an associate data entry screen that queries theoriginating filer to provide the requisite information about theassociate they wish to add, and in such instance, while the particulartransaction would be consummated, the intellectual property filingportal service provider would be prompted to confirm the entry of theparticular associate added by the originating filer into theintellectual property filing portal database of associates.

Originating filers select from amongst the target jurisdictionssupported and from amongst associates offering filing services therein.Once target jurisdictions and associates are selected by an originatingfiler, transactions between the originating filer and its selectedassociates are performed largely electronically, via intellectualproperty filing portal 110. As will be described in greater detailbelow, intellectual property filing portal 110 supplies transactionspecific fee information, target jurisdiction- and associate-specificform documents and, in some configurations, target jurisdiction filingrequirements to originating filers. In some configurations, detailedinstructions for completion of form documents and/or legalization ofdocuments are also provided. Originating filers complete targetjurisdiction- and associate-specific form documents and return themtogether with technical documents (e.g., the specification, claims,abstract and drawings of a patent application) for transmission to thecorresponding selected associates for filing in a selected targetjurisdiction or jurisdictions.

In some configurations, originating filer systems 121, 122 and/or 123may retrieve matter specific information, technical documents, etc. incomputer readable form from data stores (e.g., data stores 124, 125and/or 126) to at least partially complete a set of filing documents. Ingeneral, such information and documents may be retrieved from localand/or remote stores, network information services, file servers, and/orapplications with callable interfaces such as database managementsystems, docket systems, document management systems, etc. In someconfigurations (not specifically shown), at least some of suchinformation and documents may be stored by intellectual property filingportal 110. For example, in one implementation, intellectual propertyfiling portal 110 is integrated with a docket system. The docket systemis a software system that is provided as a separate service. Originatingfilers who also subscribe to this separate docketing service wouldalready have matter specific information stored in a database associatedwith or accessible by the intellectual property filing portal. Thismatter specific information is then used to populate targetjurisdiction- and/or associate-specific form documents provided by theintellectual property filing portal database. Suitable realizationsinclude subscription based services available or hosted by theintellectual property filing portal as well as on-customer-sitedocketing software with communication interfaces to the intellectualproperty filing portal.

To the extent that an originating filer is not a subscriber of theintegrated docketing software but is a user of a third party docketingsoftware, the intellectual property filing portal provides a dataconversion utility, tool or other data access mechanism to import orotherwise retrieve data from the third party software database in aformat to correctly populate the form documents provided from theintellectual property filing portal database.

In the configuration of FIG. 1, using software executing on originatingfiler systems 121, 122 and/or 123, matter specific information andtechnical documents can be automatically retrieved from data stores topopulate the target jurisdiction- and associate-specific form documentswith matter-specific information, and technical documents can beautomatically formatted in accordance with jurisdiction-specific formalrequirements supplied by intellectual property filing portal 110. Inthis way, a complete set of documents is prepared for each selectedtarget jurisdiction including associate-specific filing papers, powersof attorney, authorizations, etc. Depending on the requirements of aparticular selected jurisdiction, signature documents may be printed,signed, scanned and forwarded electronically (e.g., as a filetransferred over the internet) with a complete set of filing documents.Alternatively, original signature documents may be printed, signed andphysically delivered if necessary. In typical configurations, at least aportion of the set of filing documents is forwarded electronically byintellectual property filing portal 110 to information systems of theselected associates (e.g., associate systems 131, 132, 133 and/or 134).In some configurations, filing directly with an intellectual propertyoffice, e.g., with a competent receiving office under the PatentCooperation Treaty, is provided when an associate/agent is either notrequired under applicable regulations or when an attorney or agent ofthe originating filer may himself or herself act as the agent for such afiling.

In an exemplary configuration, intellectual property filing portal 110includes a network information service component, e.g., a web server,coupled via a communication network, e.g., the internet, to clientapplications, e.g., web browsers, of originating filers. Such clientapplications executing on originating filer systems 121, 122 and 123typically communicate with intellectual property filing portal 110 overpublic data networks such as the internet using industry standardprotocols, preferably using privacy enhanced protocols such as SecureSockets Layer (SSL), HTTPS or with Virtual Private Networking (VPN);however, in some configurations or for some originating filer systems,dial-up communications, dedicated circuits or even physical transfer ofcomputer readable media may be employed. A web server and browser basedinterface is presently preferred (1) for ease of use, (2) becauseinformation protocols, user interface techniques and informationsecurity implementations are mature and widely available forimplementation of systems in accordance with the present invention, and(3) because of the increasingly ubiquitous nature of browser technology.However, other application interfaces, including custom interfaces, arealso suitable. Based on the description herein, persons of ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate suitable implementations using browserand non-browser based application platforms.

In addition, although some aspects of some configurations ofintellectual property filing portal 110 are described herein in thecontext of a traditional client/server configuration, other realizationsneed not employ a client/server paradigm. Indeed, portions of thefunctionality described herein with reference to intellectual propertyfiling portal 110 may be replicated and provided at originating filersystems 121, 122 and 123. For example, in one realization in accordancewith some embodiments of the present invention, target jurisdiction- andassociate specific form documents, fee schedules, requirements, etc. maybe distributed to originating filer system installations. Distributionof such documents, schedules, requirements, etc. may be by periodicdelivery of computer readable media (e.g., CD-ROM, disks, etc.) orthrough a network update facility. Alternatively, directory information(e.g., for associates and target jurisdictions for which the associatesprovide filing services) including Universal Resource Locators (URLs)and access credentials may be distributed to originating filer systeminstallations and documents, schedules, requirements, etc. may be hostedby individual of the associate systems. Furthermore, combinations of theabove described approaches may be employed. Based on the descriptionherein, persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate suitableimplementations for the particular needs of particular originating filerand associate communities.

In addition to the originating filer portion of an international filingnetwork, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary associate and targetjurisdiction portion thereof. For clarity of illustration anddescription, only a small number of associates and regional and nationalpatent offices (e.g., United Kingdom Patent Office 151, European PatentOffice 141, German Patent Office 152, Japanese Patent Office 153 andUnited States Patent and Trademark Office acting as the Receiving Office142 under the Patent Cooperation Treaty for the United States) arerepresented. However, based on the description herein, persons ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate the advantages of much largerinternational filing networks, including at least one associate for eachsignificant target jurisdiction and including larger numbers ofassociates for most target jurisdictions.

In general, an associate prepares filing papers (typically as formdocuments) and/or instructions for each of the jurisdictions for whichit offers filing services. Form documents may be specific to the targetjurisdiction, the associate or both. In addition, an associate typicallysupplies formal requirements (e.g., required document format, languages,applicant restrictions, etc.) for the target jurisdictions in which itoffers its filing services and supplies fee schedule informationincluding both its own fees and those applicable to the targetjurisdictions. Preferably, target- and associate-specific requirements,including form documents, formal requirements and fee schedules aresupplied in computer readable form by information systems of therespective associates to intellectual property filing portal 110 andmaintained by the respective associates via a network. When a networkcommunications interface is available, intellectual property filingportal 110 may forward at least a portion of the set of filing documentsreceived from an originating filer system to the corresponding selectedassociate. However, where necessary, such requirements, form documentsand fee schedules can be supplied in computer readable form by disk orother transfer mechanism or entered into data stores accessible tointellectual property filing portal 110 based on written materialsreceived from the associate.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a particular associate and hence a networkedinformation server for such an associate (see e.g., associate system132) may service filings for more than one target jurisdiction.Similarly, more than one associate and hence more than one networkedinformation server may service a given target jurisdiction. For example,in the illustration of FIG. 1, associate system 132 offers filingservices for the United Kingdom through UKPO 151 and for European PatentConvention filings through EPO 141. In contrast, associate 131 offersfiling services only for the United Kingdom.

Typically, a law firm will have the option of interacting withintellectual property filing portal 110 both as an originating filer andas an associate. For example, the information systems 131 of anillustrated UK associate services filings into United Kingdom PatentOffice 151 but also interacts with intellectual property filing portal110 as an originating filer to allow filings via intellectual propertyfiling portal 110 as described above (e.g., in German Patent Office 152via information systems 133 of the illustrated German associate).Accordingly, although the intellectual property filing system isillustrated in the context of single direction flows of filings, personsof ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that, at least in somerealizations, intellectual property filing portal 110 provides a fullybi-directional filing capability.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a single originating filer application isillustrated executing on workstation 221. In an illustrativeconfiguration, the originating filer application communicates with anintellectual property filing portal 210 implemented as an informationservice executing on a networked information server via a communicationnetwork, e.g., World Wide Web, preferably a public, packet-switched datanetwork with Virtual Private Networking (VPN) support. In theillustration of FIG. 2, two intellectual property filings are processed.Each is transacted via the network and intellectual property filingportal 210; however the first is filed with European Patent Office 241and with Japanese Patent Office 253 after being transacted withinformation systems 231 and 234 of respective European and Japaneseassociates. The second is transacted without an associate intermediaryand is filed directly in the United States Patent and Trademark officeacting as receiving office under the Patent Cooperation Treaty.

A foreign filing session is initiated (201) by authenticating andrequesting target jurisdiction and associate information fromintellectual property filing portal 210. In response, intellectualproperty filing portal 210 supplies (202) a listing or other computerreadable encoding of target jurisdictions and corresponding associatescurrently registered. For the sake of illustration, we assume that (asillustrated in FIG. 1) two associates are available for filings in theEuropean Patent Office and a single associate is available for filingsin the Japanese Patent Office. Further, we assume that virtually allsignificant regional and national offices are supported with at leastone corresponding associate. Given these assumptions, intellectualproperty filing portal 210 may supply workstation 221 with a ratherextensive listing of target jurisdictions and associates forpresentation to the user. Possible selections may be presented to theuser using any suitable user interface technology.

In some configurations, intellectual property filing portal 210 suppliesor otherwise provides access to additional information that mayfacilitate selection, by a user at workstation 221, of particularassociates and target jurisdictions. For example, intellectual propertyfiling portal 210 may supply descriptive information for an associate aswell as information such as summaries of national filing requirementsand scope of protections available to facilitate evaluation by the userof foreign filing alternatives. Intellectual property filing portal 210also supplies (203) fee and/or cost information descriptive of bothtarget jurisdiction and associate fees and/or costs. Preferably, suchinformation includes all fees and costs associated with filing aparticular intellectual property application in the selected targetjurisdiction. In some implementations, such information is parameterizedwith respect to particulars of the intellectual property filing, e.g.,independent and total claim counts, page counts, designations (forregional or convention applications), applicant particulars, relatedmatter particulars, subject matter categories, etc. In someimplementations, estimates of prosecution costs may also be supplied.

In any case, based at least in part on information supplied byintellectual property filing portal 210, the user of workstation 221selects (204) a particular set of target jurisdictions and correspondingassociates for the filing of a particular intellectual propertyapplication. For example, in the illustrative case, the user selects oneof the two available associates for filing in the European Patent Office(EPO) and selects the only available associate for filing in theJapanese Patent Office (JPO). In response to the user's selection (204),intellectual property filing portal 210 supplies (205) workstation 221with target- and associate-specific requirements, including formdocuments, formal requirements and fee schedules for each of theselected associate and target jurisdiction combinations (in this case,for filing by associate A in the EPO and by associate B in the JPO).

Typically, formal documents are supplied in a computer readable encodingsuch that application software on workstation 221 may populate theformal documents with matter specific data (e.g., docket data,originating agent data, etc.) retrieved from a data store. As before,particular implementations may employ local and/or remote stores,network information services, file servers, and/or applications withcallable interfaces such as database management systems, docket systems,document management systems, etc. in the role of data store 224. In someconfigurations in accordance with the present invention, preparation offormal documents based on matter specific data is automated and occurswith little or no user interaction subsequent to the selection (204) oftarget jurisdictions and corresponding associates. In otherconfigurations, at least some manual entry of data into the formdocuments may be required. In either case, once formal documents arefinalized (either automatically or with manual intervention), the userauthorizes (206) the intellectual property filings in the selectedtarget jurisdictions using the selected associates.

Coincident with the authorization, application software executing onworkstation 221 transmits (207) at least some of the filing documents tointellectual property filing portal 210. Preferably, all filingdocuments (including completed and digitally signed formal documents andtechnical documents retrieved from data store 224) are transmitted tointellectual property filing portal 210. However, in someconfigurations, some of the documents are printed (e.g., using printer231), signed and transferred in hardcopy form to the correspondingassociate. In situations where original signatures are required, anovernight courier may be employed. Alternatively, if consistent with therequirements of a particular target jurisdiction, signed formal papersmay be faxed (233), or scanned (232) and transmitted electronically, tothe corresponding associate.

Intellectual property filing portal 210 receives (207) the user'sauthorization (including a fee authorization) and at least some of thefiling documents from workstation 221 and, in turn, forwards (208A,208B) a respective one (or ones) of the filing documents to theappropriate associates for filing. Preferably, the forwarding is incomputer readable form so that, if available in the corresponding targetjurisdiction, filings can be made electronically by the correspondingassociates. However, for at least some associates and presently for allpatent offices, it is expected that filing documents will be transmittedin hard copy form. Intellectual property filing portal 210 maintains aspart of its associate registrations a computer readable encoding ofsuitable transmission means.

In a representative configuration, target- and associate-specificrequirements, including form documents, formal requirements and feeschedules supplied (205) by intellectual property filing portal 210 arepreviously supplied (251A, 2518) in computer readable form by respectiveassociates. Alternatively, such information may be maintained by therespective associates and retrieved on demand by intellectual propertyfiling portal 210 in response a particular user's foreign filingsession. Suitable storage configurations for target- andassociate-specific requirements data may vary from associate toassociate.

Associate data, including name, address, registration numbers, e-mail orother electronic information service address, telephone and facsimilenumbers, etc. may be supplied by the intellectual property filing portalto populate a generic set of form documents for each of the selectedtarget jurisdictions. Alternatively, or for at least some associatesand/or jurisdictions, form documents particular to a specific associatemay be obtained by, or stored in a data store accessible to, theintellectual property filing portal.

FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary originating filer side data and controlflows in an intellectual property filing configuration in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, afterinitiating a session with the filing portal, the originating filer sideapplication performs, for each matter to be foreign filed, a selectionof target jurisdiction and of associate. In each case, an encoding oftarget jurisdictions and associates is supplied by intellectual propertyfiling portal 310. Once target jurisdictions and associates areselected, the originating filer side application requests correspondingfee quotations. If the fees quoted by intellectual property filingportal 310 are approved, a fee transaction is authorized (e.g., by debitaccount, wire transfer, etc.) and preparation of formal document isbegun. If not, the user may reselect target jurisdiction and/orassociates. Assuming that fees are approved and that the fee transactionis successful, the intellectual property filing portal 210 sends, andthe originating filer application receives, jurisdiction- andassociate-specific forms and requirements for each of the selectedtarget jurisdiction and associate combinations. As before, formdocuments and requirements are supplied in computer readable form tofacilitate automated preparation of documents by the originating filerapplication.

Typically, the received form documents are populated with informationfrom a local data store (e.g., docket data and priority document datastore 324). Because the form documents are target jurisdiction- andassociate-specific, once completed (i.e., populated with data) andsigned, they are suitable for filing with technical documents by theassociate in the target jurisdiction. In some cases, particular formalrequirements may affect technical documents as well. In such cases, thereceived computer readable encoding of formal requirements allows theoriginating filer-side application to perform minor formatting on patentapplication data (e.g., on a target-neutral computer readable encodingof a priority application). For example, margins and page numbering maybe conformed to the formal requirements. In addition, for technicaldocuments encoded in target neutral formats that encode metadata (e.g.,as SGML/XML tags), section headings may be conformed to formalrequirements as well. Alternatively, in some configurations, theoriginating filer-side application may prompt the user to make changesmanually in accordance with the received formal requirements. In anycase, technical documents and, now completed, target jurisdiction- andassociate-specific form documents are transmitted to intellectualproperty filing portal 310 for forwarding on to the selected associatesfor filing.

When a set of filing documents is received from the originating filer,the intellectual property filing portal determines (based on serviceavailability or preferences) whether to forward the filing documents torespective associates via an electronic information transfer (e.g.,using e-mail, ftp or any other suitable information transfer mechanismor protocol) or in facsimile form. In general, if an associate has anelectronic address, an electronic transfer of information in computerreadable form is preferred. However, if the associate does not have anelectronic address, then the intellectual property filing portal mayselect an alternate delivery mechanism. For example, in such a case, theintellectual property filing portal may search for the facsimile numbercorresponding to the associate, and send the filing documents as afacsimile transmission to the associate's facsimile. The confirmation ofreceipt by the intellectual property filing portal and the receipt thatthe originating filer will receive from the intellectual property filingportal can be the normal facsimile confirmation message that a certainnumber of pages have been received by the associate's facsimile machine.In the event that the associate's facsimile machine is busy, theintellectual property filing portal will continue to transmit thefacsimile at regular intervals, e.g., every five minutes, until thefacsimile transmission is either complete or the number of attemptsreach a certain number of attempts (user defined with default of Xnumber of times) at which point the intellectual property filing portalwill contact both the originating filer and the intellectual propertyfiling portal administrator for corrective action.

As previously described, the entire set of filing documents ispreferably encoded in computer readable form and transmittedelectronically to intellectual property filing portal 310. However, forsome target jurisdictions, at least some of the formal documents mayneed to be printed, signed and transmitted. In some cases, a scannedimage of the signed document(s) may be acceptable. Accordingly, in suchcases, the scanned image of the signed document(s) is transmitted inelectronic form with the set of filing documents. While it is possiblein some realizations to have the intellectual property filing portalprint out instructions for the originating filer to send the executedformal documents directly to the associate via mail or facsimile, it isgenerally preferred for the executed document to be scanned and attached(e.g., as an image file or other encoding) to, or otherwise associatedwith, the set of electronic documents sent to the particular associate.In this way, transaction tracking by the intellectual property filingportal is improved. Nonetheless, some realizations may allow separate,later delivery (e.g., by mail or courier) of documents such as thoserequiring original signatures, notarization, legalization,certification, imprints, seals or other indicia of authenticity notsusceptible to electronic capture and transmission.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a single annuity payment application isillustrated executing on workstation 421. In an illustrativeconfiguration, the annuity payment application communicates with anintellectual property annuity portal 410 implemented as an informationservice executing on a networked information server via a communicationnetwork. In general, intellectual property annuity portal 410 maysimultaneously support multiple annuity payment applications. As before,the communication network preferably includes a public, packet-switcheddata network with Virtual Private Networking (VPN) support. In theillustration of FIG. 4, three annuity payments are processed. Each istransacted via the network and intellectual property annuity portal 410;however the first is destined for Canadian Patent Office 441 via theinformation system 431 of a selected Canadian agent. The second andthird are made without an associate intermediary in European PatentOffice 442 and US Patent and Trademark Office 443, respectively.

An annuity payment session is initiated (401) by authenticating andrequesting supported payment types as well as target jurisdiction andassociate information from intellectual property annuity portal 410. Inresponse, intellectual property annuity portal 410 supplies (403) alisting or other computer readable encoding of supported payment types,target jurisdictions and corresponding associates currently registeredwith the portal. In some realizations, a variety of payment types(including maintenance fee, annuity, renewal, tax, workings or otherpayments) are supported for regional and national offices eitherdirectly or (if required) using a designated agent. Accordingly,intellectual property annuity portal 410 may supply workstation 421 witha rather extensive listing of payment types, target jurisdictions andassociates for presentation to the user. Possible selections may bepresented to the user using any suitable user interface technology.

In some realizations, intellectual property annuity portal 410 initiallysupplies or otherwise provides access to additional information that mayfacilitate annuity payment decisions. For example, intellectual propertyannuity portal 410 may initially supply (403) fee and/or costinformation descriptive of current fee amounts in the various targetjurisdictions and any associate fees and/or costs and charges associatedwith use of intellectual property annuity portal 410. In someimplementations, such information is parameterized with respect toparticulars of a particular intellectual property or application, e.g.,independent and total claim counts, page counts, designations (forregional or convention applications), applicant particulars, relatedmatter particulars, subject matter categories, etc.

Based on data retrieved (402) from a database, e.g., that of docketsystem 423, the annuity payment application identifies payments meetinguser definable temporal or other criteria (e.g., client, payment type,due date, etc.) and presents the user with a set of payments forselection (or deselection). In realizations in which parameterized feedata is supplied, the annuity payment application may also calculate andpresent exact or estimated fees to facilitate user decisions. Based onthis presentation, the user of workstation 421 selects (404) aparticular set of payments to be made in target jurisdiction(s). Whererequired, the selection includes a designated agent as an associate. Inthe illustrated case, the user selects three payments from amongst threeor more possible payments matching the user definable criteria. Inparticular, the user selects a first payment (e.g., for an applicationpending in the Canadian Patent Office), a second payment (e.g., for anEPC application pending in the European Patent Office) and a thirdpayment (e.g., for a issued U.S. patent). In response to the user'sselection (404), intellectual property annuity portal 410 mayselectively supply (405) workstation 421 with target- andassociate-specific form documents such as powers of attorney, ifrequired. In some realizations, fee and/or cost information initiallysupplied (e.g., at 403) is now confirmed or more precisely calculatedand supplied (405) to workstation 421.

In any case, the user authorizes (406) the making of the selected set ofpayments. Fees are transacted (412) as between the authorizing user (orhis/her organization) and intellectual property annuity portal 410coincident with the authorization. In some realizations, the transactionis initiated (412A) from workstation 421. In others, transaction isinitiated from intellectual property annuity portal 410 in response toauthorization 406. In general, fees are transacted using a paymentsystem 422 which may include pre-authorized electronic funds transfersbetween financial institutions, credit card authorizations, etc. In somerealizations, fees are transacted at least in part by debiting a user'sdeposit account or accounts with the intellectual property annuityportal organization and/or with a particular target jurisdiction orassociate. In some realizations, payment systems may include targetjurisdictions and/or associates and payments to particular targetjurisdictions and associates may also be made (4128) coincident withauthorization 406. However, in other realizations, authorized paymentsmay be made independently or through alternate payment systemfacilities.

Typically, form documents, if any, are supplied in a computer readableencoding such that application software on workstation 421 may populatethe documents with matter specific data (e.g., docket data, originatingagent data, etc.) retrieved from a data store. As before, particularimplementations may employ local and/or remote stores, networkinformation services, file servers, and/or applications with callableinterfaces such as database management systems, docket systems (e.g.,docket system 423), document management systems, etc.

In some realizations, software executing on workstation 421 transmits(407) target jurisdiction- and/or associate-specific documents (e.g.,executed powers of attorney) to intellectual property annuity portal 410coincident with authorization 406. Preferably, such documents aretransmitted to intellectual property annuity portal 410 in electronicform. However, in some configurations, some of the documents are printed(e.g., using printer 424), signed and transferred in hardcopy form tothe intellectual property annuity payment facility or correspondingassociate. In situations where original signatures are required, anovernight courier may be employed. Alternatively, if consistent with therequirements of a particular target jurisdiction, signed formal papersmay be faxed (407A), or scanned (425) and transmitted (407)electronically, to intellectual property annuity portal 410 or to thecorresponding associate. Preferably, signed formal papers are scannedand transmitted in a manner that unambiguously associates them withauthorization 406. For example, in one suitable realization,transmission 407 and authorization 406 are implemented as a singlecombined information transaction. In one such implementation, a scannedimage (or images) of signed formal papers is (are) supplied as anattachment to authorization message encoded as email.

Intellectual property annuity portal 410 receives (407) the user'sauthorization from workstation 421 and, in turn though not necessarilyimmediately, initiates payments (e.g., 408B and 408C) in the targetjurisdictions corresponding to selected payments. In situations where anauthorized in-country agent is required, payment may be initiated (e.g.,408A) via the selected associate (e.g., 431). Preferably, each of thepayments is initiated in electronic form although any payment system isgenerally suitable for transactions as between intellectual propertyannuity portal 410 and the target jurisdiction or associate. However,for at least some associates and presently for all patent offices, it isexpected that payments will initially be transacted using conventionalmeans. Intellectual property annuity portal 410 maintains as part of itsassociate registrations a computer readable encoding of suitabletransmission means.

In a representative configuration, target- and associate-specific formdocuments, formal requirements and fee schedules supplied (403, 405) byintellectual property annuity portal 410 are registered (e.g., 451) withintellectual property annuity portal 410 in computer readable form byrespective associates. For target jurisdictions, similar registrations(e.g., 452A, 45213) are performed based on target jurisdiction fees andrequirements. Alternatively or eventually, such information may bemaintained by the respective associates and retrieved on demand byintellectual property annuity portal 410 in response to a particularuser's annuity session. Suitable storage configurations for target- andassociate-specific requirements and fee data may vary from associate toassociate.

FIG. 5 illustrates exemplary user-side application data and controlflows in an intellectual property annuity payment configuration inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically,after initiating a session with the annuity payment portal, theuser-side application retrieves information from docket database 523 toprovide a set of payments which the user may select for execution. Usinginformation from intellectual property annuity portal 510 thatidentifies supported target jurisdictions and payment types, the userselects a subset of items for payment. If required, the user-sideapplication requires the user to select from supported associates to actas in-country agents. Once a set of payments and associates (ifrequired) have been selected, the originating filer side applicationrequests corresponding fee quotations. If the fees quoted byintellectual property annuity portal 510 are approved, a fee transactionbetween user and intellectual property annuity portal 510 is authorized(e.g., by debit account, wire transfer, etc.) and the selectedpayment(s) is (are) initiated. If not, the user may alter his selectionof items for payment.

Optionally, the intellectual property annuity portal 510 sends, and theuser-side application receives, any jurisdiction- and associate-specificforms (e.g., power of attorney forms) necessary to complete the selectedpayments in the selected target jurisdictions. As before, form documentsand requirements are supplied in computer readable form to facilitateautomated preparation of documents by the user-side application. Aspreviously described, completed form documents are preferably encoded incomputer readable form and transmitted electronically to intellectualproperty annuity portal 510. However, for some target jurisdictions, atleast some of the formal documents may need to be printed, signed andtransmitted in hard copy form. Alternatively, electronically transmittedfacsimiles may be suitable.

Assuming that fees are approved and that the fee transaction issuccessful, the intellectual property annuity portal 510 sends, and theuser-side application receives, invoices and payment confirmations. Asbefore, invoices and payment confirmations are preferably encoded incomputer readable form and transmitted electronically by intellectualproperty annuity portal 510. Electronic payment confirmations are usedby intellectual property annuity portal 510 to update docket system 523.Similarly, electronic invoices may optionally be used to updateaccounting system 529 and in law firm environments, drive client billingsystems.

While the invention has been described with reference to variousembodiments, it will be understood that these embodiments areillustrative and that the scope of the invention is not limited to them.Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are possibleand will be appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the art based onthe description herein. For example, although patent intellectualproperty filings have been used to facilitate description of features,advantages and capabilities with respect to specific filing situations,realizations in accordance with the present invention may be configuredto support other intellectual property filings (e.g., to securetrademarks or copyrights). Some realizations may support filings formultiple forms of intellectual property. Some realizations need notinclude support for patent intellectual property filings. Also, althoughapplication filings have been described for illustrative purposes,embodiments in accordance with the present invention may be configuredto include other filings such as during prosecution of an application orpost issuance. Similarly, although foreign filings have been emphasized,some configurations in accordance with the present invention may beemployed to facilitate filing networks wholly within a single country.

More generally, plural instances may be provided for componentsdescribed herein as a single instance. Boundaries between variouscomponents, services, applications, and data stores are somewhatarbitrary, and particular operations are illustrated in the context ofspecific illustrative configurations. Other allocations of functionalityare envisioned and may fall within the scope of claims that follow.Structures and functionality presented as discrete components in theexemplary configurations may be implemented as a combined structure orcomponent. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a singlecomponent may be distributed amongst plural components. Persons ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate allocations of structures andfunctionality suitable to particular implementation environments,interface constraints and desired product and/or service configurations.These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvementsmay fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims thatfollow.

1. A computer implemented method for transacting an intellectualproperty service in connection with the filing of documents and/orpayment of fees for intellectual property matters relative to a targetjurisdiction, the method comprising: presenting, by a computer, a userwith a target jurisdiction, an associate for said target jurisdiction,and fees associated with a particular intellectual property service, thefees being particularized by both target jurisdiction and saidassociate; providing, by the computer, responsive to determining anintellectual property matter, information representative of one or morefees specific to the intellectual property, wherein the fees include oneor more of: official fees, and service fees, and wherein the fees for acombination of the same particular intellectual property service and thesame associate in the same target jurisdiction differ from intellectualproperty matter to intellectual property matter; and automaticallyinitiating, by the computer, responsive to selection by the user,performance of the intellectual property service for the intellectualproperty matter.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the intellectualproperty service includes one or more of paying an annuity ormaintenance fee, making an intellectual property filing on behalf of theuser, and preparing and/or filing target jurisdiction- andassociate-specific documents for directing and/or effecting the filingand/or payment thereof.
 3. The method of claim 1, and substantiallycoincident with the performance, transacting the one or more feesspecific to the intellectual property, wherein the fee transactingincludes one or more of authorizing a debit of a deposit account,supplying an invoice, and processing the fee via a payment system. 4.The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the intellectualproperty matter responsive to a docket event, and automaticallyinitiating the providing of information representative of theintellectual property services in response to the docket event for theparticular intellectual property matter corresponding thereto.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: retrieving informationcharacterizing an intellectual property application corresponding to theone or more intellectual property matters from a data store; theassociated one or more fees provided to the user being automaticallycalculated by a computer, including retrieving informationcharacterizing an intellectual property application corresponding to theone or more intellectual property matters from a data store andreferring to at least a portion of the intellectual property applicationinformation to determine the associated one or more fees.
 6. The methodof claim 1, further comprising supplying information encoding theintellectual property service, the fees associated with the particularintellectual property service, and the one or more fees specific to theintellectual property, for use in an accounting system.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising transacting, substantially coincident withthe performance of the intellectual property service, the associated oneor more fees.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising transacting,prior to the performance of the intellectual property service, theassociated one or more fees.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the oneor more intellectual property matters relate to a plurality ofjurisdictions, and wherein the information is further particularized bythe one or more intellectual property matters.
 10. The method of claim1, further comprising retrieving information characterizing anintellectual property application corresponding to the intellectualproperty matter from a data store; and at least partially completingtarget jurisdiction- and associate-specific documents for the servicesfrom the retrieved information.
 11. A method of operating an informationservice to facilitate fee transactions in connection with the filing ofdocuments and/or payment of fees relating to intellectual propertyservices in one or more target jurisdictions, the method comprising:registering for each of plural associates, at least one targetjurisdiction and a computer readable encoding of fees for one or moreintellectual property services performed by the associate therein;distributing information representative of one or more of the targetjurisdictions, and one or more associates registered therefore andcorresponding fees, to a user for use in transacting at least one of theintellectual property services using a respective one or ones of theassociates; and automatically determining, by the computer, responsiveto selection by the user of one or more specific intellectual propertymatters in combination with one or more of the target jurisdictionsand/or associates, matter-specific fees, including referencing theencoding of fees, and providing, to the user, the matter-specific fees,wherein the matter-specific fees for a combination of the same specificintellectual property matter and the same associate in the same targetjurisdiction differ from intellectual property matter to intellectualproperty matter.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the distributing isresponsive to selection by the user of one or more of the targetjurisdictions and, for each selected target jurisdiction, a respectiveone or ones of the associates.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein thedistributing includes supplying, on a periodic basis, to the user, ofthe computer readable encoding of fees.
 14. The method of claim 11,wherein the distributing is encoded by a transmittal in at least onecomputer readable medium selected from the set of a disk, CD-ROM, tapeor other magnetic, optical, or electronic storage medium and a network,wireline, wireless or other communications medium.
 15. The method ofclaim 11, further comprising registering forms, for each of pluralassociates, for the at least one jurisdiction, for use in directing thefiling of documents and/or payment of fees in the jurisdictions;distributing to a user, responsive to selection of respective one ormore associates, at least a portion of the respective forms; and,responsive to receipt of at least partially completed forms from theuser, forwarding the at least partially completed forms to therespective one or more associates.
 16. A non-transitory computer programproduct encoded in a computer readable medium for transacting anintellectual property service in connection with the filing of documentsand/or payment of fees relative to one or more target jurisdictions, thecomputer program product comprising: selection code executable by acomputer to select from amongst one or more intellectual propertyservices supported by one or more information services therefore and toautomatically, by the computer, in response to the selection of theintellectual property service, initiate performance of the selected oneor more intellectual property services relative to one or moreparticular intellectual property matters; fee transaction codeexecutable to automatically transact, by the computer, one or more feesassociated with the selected one or more intellectual property servicesand one or more particular intellectual property maters substantiallycoincident with performance of the one or more intellectual propertyservices by a corresponding one or ones of the information services; andinstruction code executable by the computer to present a user with oneor more target jurisdictions and one or more respective associates foreach of at least a portion of said target jurisdictions, the one or morefees associated with a particular one or ones of the intellectualproperty services being further particularized by target jurisdictionand/or said one or more respective associates, and one or moreparticular intellectual property matters.